Ask the Super: ACPS Superintendent Sherman Answers Your Questions

The following questions were submitted to Patch by parents of children in Alexandria City Public Schools. Do you have a question for Dr. Sherman? Send it to oldtownalexandria@patch.com. Please include your name and contact information if a Patch editor needs to contact you.

Question: Since there is no summer school this year, there seems to be urgency by teachers to increase pass rates. This is not a bad thing, but I think we're in over-assessment mode. I feel all this testing is taking away from learning, and it is not productive. There has to be a better way, and I would appreciate your thoughts. 

Sherman: I think we would all agree that one of the downsides of the No Child Left Behind law is the emphasis on standardized assessments. In ACPS, we are fortunate to have balance in our schools as we offer a broad array of what we consider part of the basics, e.g., music and physical education. Many districts have had to move away from those subjects.

Although standardized assessments do not give a complete picture of student learning, they can be an excellent snapshot. The urgency should not be about the pass rates or a focus on state assessments; rather, we all need to learn how to use our new curriculum in a way which will help us assure that all students learn at very high levels. There is an imperative in ACPS for each and every child to learn. For too long, too many students did not learn to read or do math at the levels needed to succeed.

Question: At Francis Hammond Middle School, we have a very difficult time reaching out to parents to become involved. A recent mailing by the PTA, with addresses provided by the registrar, yielded an approximate mail return rate (address unknown) of 25 percent. This is very discouraging. I feel it is the biggest obstacle at Hammond, and even robo-calls and backpack fliers don't do the trick. What suggestions do you have to promote parental involvement in our very transient neighborhoods? 

Sherman: This is a core issue for many of our schools, not just Hammond. About 25 percent of our families do not have Internet access. Families are busy. Language differences sometimes serve as barriers to communication. Principals have been encouraged to reach out to families, to make home visits, to go to the neighborhoods where our students live. A recent MetLife report (pdf) found that this is a national issue.

We are reviewing our communications plan for the school division and for each of our schools so that we can update our approaches. I am very open to recommendations and suggestions.

Question: There has been a lot of progress within the ACPS system during the past year, including test scores and other achievements. Why do you think people still seem so angry and frustrated with the school system? 

Sherman: ACPS is having many successes at all levels of the school division. We are proud of the huge improvements at , with our reading, math and writing scores the highest ever...Our AP participation is the highest ever... 8th grade Algebra I participation and achievement the highest ever...with so many other examples of achievement at all levels.

Our school division just received the Magna Award...one of 15 national  first place awards. Our cost per pupil is down. Enrollments have dramatically increased.

Our demographics are the most diverse in Northern Virginia—57 percent of enrolled students receive a free and reduced price lunch.

Yes, even with our remarkable successes as a result of the hard work, care and professionalism of our staff, we have so much more to do.

Most parents with whom I speak are very satisfied with the education their children are getting. We are all frustrated when we hear about issues in the facilities or adult education departments, but that does not reflect the larger good that is taking place throughout the division. And we are frustrated that some of the historically core academic issues have not yet been solved such as drop outs.

My simple request is that our community look at the facts, such as the awards we have received three years in a row following the audit of our operating budget, and the significant achievement progress which has been made. Come visit our schools. There is nothing like sitting next to our beautiful students in class to gain insight and patience.

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Editor's note: Do you have a question for Sherman? Send it to oldtownalexandria@patch.com. Please include your name and contact information if a Patch editor needs to contact you.